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Scientists may have found the ‘supermassive’ cause of cosmic rays
- Supermassive black holes can launch fast-moving winds known as ultra-fast outflows (UFOs) that may be the missing source of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays in the universe.
- These UFOs, which can reach speeds close to 150,000 kilometers per second, form near the black hole's accretion disc and play a significant role in shaping galaxies.
- Cosmic rays, particularly ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs), are highly energetic particles that remain a mystery in terms of their sources and acceleration mechanisms.
- Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology propose that winds from active supermassive black holes could be responsible for accelerating particles to extreme energies.
- The researchers suggest that collisions between UFOs and interstellar medium could lead to particle acceleration, potentially explaining the origin of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays.
- Observations from nearby galaxies with active black holes and UFOs support the idea of extreme particle acceleration in such environments.
- The proposed model involving black hole winds aligns well with the cosmic ray spectrum gap, offering a promising explanation for the unexplained part of the spectrum.
- While the model shows promise, scientists remain cautious and continue testing the hypothesis, aiming to collaborate with neutrino observatories for further evidence.
- The study's findings are published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, shedding light on the potential role of supermassive black hole winds in the origins of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays.
- Scientists see UFOs as a leading candidate in unraveling the mysteries of the universe's most energetic particles, although more research is needed to solidify this theory.
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